2023-01-10 18:31:34
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Organization 49
Location : Old CityLocation: street of the Eighth Highest, 45Time : Wednesday, 19:35. Six months two weeks from the date of arrival of the Candidate. Autumn season.The old city had long seemed dilapidated to Ernest, sometimes not very attractive, but on the whole a fairly decent and smoothed fragment of the past. Well, the one where there are not nine, but four races in the City, and people have just received the rights of charters. Inclusions like Besilny and Pierce only emphasized how much the Old City did not care about the flow of life in the universe. However, perhaps, A.N. has not been to such corners of the region yet.Although the outer building, covering the courtyard from the side of the street, looked relatively decent (not a single broken window is already an achievement), the state of the "inside" reminded Ernest of some plundered settlements. Moreover, they were plundered after a good bombardment. At the nearest to A.N. the end wall of the house collapsed (judging by
Organization 50
Location : New CityLocation: Legionnaires Avenue 31aTime : Wednesday, 21:40.Finally, all icons changed color to green. Everything is ready for communication. It only remained to wait for the curator. Finally, after three small sips (there was a long conversation and one mug of beer ahead), a signal rang out. Ernest combed his hair, settled himself comfortably. However, the curator's head never appeared. But suddenly a cheerful voice appeared. Female. Young. But unfamiliar.- You can drag a bottle, I'm not a Battle and I'm calm about alcohol.- What about tobacco? - found A.N.“Put yourself all you want,” the girl sighed, as if rolling her eyes.- Have we met? Ernest raised an eyebrow. He went over in his memory all the scraps of voices and associations associated with the Lair, but he could not find an analogy.- Not at all. I'm Marie, your new curator. And you understand, I know all your ins and outs.“I hope you don’t have a list of my exes,” A.N. blurted
Organization 52
Location : New CityLocation: Prospect Pervaya Rasa, 122Time : Thursday, 13:34The alarm clock worked like clockwork. I woke up for the first time, dutifully reacted to the postponement. He woke him up a second time, ten minutes later, and resolutely refused to turn off, infuriating the candidate with a different frequency sound. And when the adrenaline in the blood exceeded the norm for sleep, it abruptly turned off.A.N. with quiet curses somehow got out of bed. I trudged to the combine, started cooking chicken broth, pulled out a ready-made sandwich with smoked meats. He activated the coffee maker and dragged himself into the shower.Jacques Gaspard didn't get Ernest drunk. It's just that with each misunderstood item of the educational program he knocked over a glass. And there were too many of them, despite the fact that the lawyer bypassed the subtleties of etiquette and focused only on what should not be done categorically. As a result, A.N. pretty drunk. Although he upset alco
Organization 53
Place : Soap factoriesLocation: dusterTime : Thursday, 13:01A broker in a small bar in Novy Gorod, deeply bogged down in actions on the verge of fraud, spoke about Shostak's aggressive actions. He actively bought up small firms if he suspected they were a danger to his activities. He unleashed several stock market panics, including the last one, which followed the crisis at the Soap Factory. Many have lost a mountain of money, and two large funds are kept afloat solely by the only occasionally interrupted sale of assets.The broker saved an important nuance for last. The purpose was mainly involved in finance and investment in the field of interracial trade. However, not so long ago, the funds controlled by Shostak began to very actively climb into the security sphere, mainly by buying up shares of the security services. There were rumors about the purchase of the entire "Gagana" in its entirety, with debts, an affiliated brothel and a recreation center.As another informant of Erne
Organization 54
Location : Old CityLocation: street of the Third Highest, 12. Hotel "Winding"Time : Friday, 02:14From the Igni, Ernest went straight to a hotel not far from the occulatory. Small family hotel, silent porter, "green" segregation. Cleanliness, hot water and no calls with the offer of "fairies". Great place to unwind before business. Although it was forbidden to smoke in the rooms, the room opened onto a private balcony, which offered a great view of the rusty roofs and the azure ribbon of the river.In principle, everything needed for the task was already in the room. His calculations A.N. didn't even trust the papers. Only to himself, carefully structuring the information received from informants in the brain. The suit was delivered in the evening, a set of pocket weapons (for one evening, just something) and technical accessories - already in the middle of the night. By that time, Ernest had been studying the plan of the building for several hours. They were provided at the first r
Organization 55
Location : Old CityLocation: street of the Third Highest, 9. Occulatory, first floor.Time : Friday, 18:50Marie's joke helped - Ernest smiled against his will. And he began to study reception. The location of the snack tables and the material of the countertops (they could be potential hiding places). Chairs, cabinets and other furniture that can be brought down on the enemy's head. Lancet windows and areas shot through from the outside. Finally, those present themselves - first of all, the human genostatus."Don't look too closely at faces, sun," Marie purred in the snail.“I know,” A.N. answered shortly. “But I still hope to see familiar faces and glances.Why?- It will be easier to understand the situation.Ernest did not like noisy receptions and big companies. In them, he tried to be as inconspicuous and sober as possible, despite any atmosphere of solemnity and unobtrusive general interest. And the current technique was complicated by several factors a
Organization 56
Location : Old CityLocation: street of the Third Highest, 9. Occulatory, second floor.Time : Friday, 19:16Shostak did not shake the hand extended by Ernest. He only grimaced, grunted, and finally slowly began to speak.“I want to say,” a hoarse baritone with pauses for some smacking, “that you were very persistent.- And there is a reason for this, - A.N. answered quietly, not taking his calm gaze off. Well, buddy, take it easy. Show your gut.“I know, I know…” a sluggish movement of the paw, “more than one order of yours has warned me of a possible attack. My assistant,” a nod to the departed girl, “even advised me to ignore the ceremony. Although I poured a bunch of Monero into it. You know, compensation to the victim's family, legal delays, the buffet table, biased media articles...- And why did you refuse? Did you pour in that much?“A lot,” grunted the philanthropist. — But in dealings with the "owners" it is better not to be stingy. Especially when it's fucking politics at s
Organization 57
Location : Old CityLocation: street of the Third Highest, 9. Occulatory, first floor.Time : Friday, 19:42The candidate decided to look after Stantor first - he was too calm when talking about defeat, but emotions broke out at the invasion of personal space. Maybe there is something personal? Jealousy for a modest wife, a dishonored daughter (obviously a dark-eyed curvy brunette with a black soul), or something darker? Never mind. There is a first suspect. Ernest felt something like pride. And, realizing that the thread is most likely imaginary, I decided to clarify the issue.- Marie?- I'm here.“Let me guess, each of them has as much dirt behind him as there is behind Shostak?”“A little less,” the curator replied evasively. “Even Varaak cannot be compared with Kuste, and Steph’s father cannot be compared with Timon.“Can you hand over the dossier on Stantor?”"Like you didn't read it in the hotel."- Short and diagonal. But I need to know how we worked w
Latest Chapter
Epilogue
Location: Landing Archipelago.Location: Giraffe Neck IslandTime : Friday, 01:50Barry made the most of his emna-infused combat body. Maneuvering between the few land-paying mobiles, he ran straight to the first pier. He held back the urge to jump into the water right there, turned left and ran all the way to a bend in the river. There, closer to the opposite shore, lay the northernmost, small island from the Landing group. Too narrow and too swampy for anything to be built on.But overgrown with small shrubs, with the ruins of a mansion. In which was the last unopened cache of the merry fellow Dimmy. He really wanted to retire. But I didn't, ha.The downpour caught Lean in the middle of the river. Chemistry in the blood seethed, making it difficult to get hypothermia. And, of course, get under the propellers of ships passing by. In every distant hum of Barry's clapping his arms wide, there were biobots flying over his soul. And in every dissatisfied snort of the urdaleb, who came ou
76
Location : Old CityLocation: Stanton Furnished Rooms.Time : 14:44. Thursday.I haven't felt this bad in a long time.I've been in bed for five days now. Plast. I go out to the nearest shop for beer and soup concentrate. From any solid food - vomiting. Especially if it is with the aroma of the sea or seafood.I was also glad, idiot, that they didn’t put a bomb in my neck. It would be better to sew.How do you want to take a break sometimes? Well, you know it. Bitterness somewhere in the region of the cephalothorax. Coffee does not give strength. You lie in bed and think about everything that you lied to. Better to die than to live like this. White handkerchiefs, varnished coffin. Lamentations of the former.So, this is all complete nonsense. Parents, of course, if you have any, will not stint on a good house, in which their blood will lie. But believe me, an old visitor to the funeral of suicides - if the former appear on the mortal field, they behave more qui
75
Location : WastelandsLocation: Lair.Time : 11-54. Monday.The guards stood at a respectful distance from the atrium. No one was to disturb the two men in their conversation. Especially when one is an ippie, and the second is a Master who burns him. Katerina, assistant to the all-powerful leader, frantically endured meetings and politely refused visitors. And she prayed that the Third would come out of the fenced corner with the waterfall in his usual icy calm.Because she knew perfectly well what a one-eyed leader in a bad mood is capable of. If anyone were in Nick's place, they would most likely go to a special block of the Lair. From which no one came out by himself.Outwardly, the ippie was impenetrably calm. No, of course, the dressing did not give him any pleasure. Yes, and he perfectly remembered the worst days of his career, one of which was not so long ago. Today is not even close to them. After all, no one from the Organization died. Still, Nick hadn't seen the Third in suc
74
Location : New City.Location: Port area.Time : Sunday, 19:23.Ernest moved calmly. A twitchy person always raises questions. Calm and knowing what to do (even if it is filled with vomit and blood) - no. The candidate resolutely moved towards the snow-white "waffle iron", the first one he met on the way. He raised his hand, wondering who would dare to take it in this form. He was surprised at the sight of a cab diving right in front of him. The side window did not open (safety is paramount), but a friendly voice came from the speaker:- Buddy, give me a lift? I have all-weather seats, at least dry your ass!- Can you smoke inside? Ernest inquired lazily. He didn't want to talk to anyone right now.“Any whim for your glitters, mate. And if you pay with “beads”, then at least I’ll pick up a girl raging with boredom at the Token.“Then to Besilnya, street of the third Highest, house 24,” Ernest decided and climbed into a cab. In Besilna, he had a wretched apartment bought according to a
73
Location : Old CityLocation: Smiling BuddhaTime : Sunday, 17:14Ernest pretended to think. The data from the sleuth biobot flooded his snail. So far, on the first floor, there are only eight “bulls” around it in a semicircle. And three more are on the way. There could not have been a better moment. He tipped the wine down his throat and set the glass down.“Then now,” he said calmly.“I hope you haven’t smoked for the last hour,” Lemai chuckled. - I don't like tobacco smoke. Physically nauseous.“Not at all,” the candidate smiled broadly.Approach the scary woman. Take a look from top to bottom. To see a slight triumph in the eyes of Lemay, who threw back her head. Gently touch your head with your fingers. Kiss, remembering a thousand kinds of poison, slightly surprised at Lemay's activity. Activate routertier. Insert a blade into the white throat of a "respected merchant". Jump back, noticing genuine surprise on the face of Danielle, who is clamping a wide wound. Hear hysterical:"
72
Location : Besilnia, Old Town.Location: Lane 13a, building 35Time : Saturday, 20:41“No,” Ernest muttered in disgust.- Well, he could become another victim if he drank poisoned beer.“That’s why I don’t drink with strangers,” A.N. lied. and vowed to stop. Speaking of strangers. Recently I was in Malaya Besilna. And imagine, they began to read predictions to me there."Oh," asked Hildur. - Do you remember the name? Some prophets are popular on the net, I can tell you about the accuracy of their forecasts.- Surname Kenard, and the name of some ... meat.- Meat?- Well, Kebabus, or Roll, or Sausages ...Jonsdottir laughed again.— Ruland? - Ernest shook his head positively and waved to the bartender - pour another one. And when he returned his head, he realized: the girl suddenly raised her blue eyes and stuck her unblinking gaze at the candidate. If so, then you should take his words more seriously. Sometimes, for general development, the "masters" give him the insides of impaled cr
71
Location : Besilnia, Old Town.Location: Lane 13a, building 35Time : Saturday, 20:20.Ernest found this bar by accident. Once, almost in a past life, he went to Igni after a case. The denouement there had a frankly brown aftertaste (not chocolate), and the detective wanted to unwind. Dry cleaning, as damned Lemay rightly pointed out, could remove external dirt. For the rest, wise people came up with something else. Snooker, alcohol and corrupt women. A palliative who has repeatedly removed burnout syndromes. It was to him that A.N. decided to apply while watching a smart automaton clean the traces of blood from an innocent victim from a random gunfight from his trench coat. Marlin gang, racketeering case. Old city, spring season.However, that evening he was still really lucky. First, he calculated his meager savings and decided to spend some crowns on a beer at a random bar. Anything is better than a few tokens - at Igni. The brothels were as good as the spaceports at making money o
70
Location : Old CityLocation: Smiling BuddhaTime : Saturday, 17:21.Ernest relaxed and reached for his glass. He knew perfectly well that nervous bandits (even if they were packaged in the "guise" of the security service) could do stupid things. Perhaps Daniel Lemay will tug at his old-wheat curl, twist his mouth (admitting a couple of wrinkles on his smooth face) and scold them for screwing up the deal. But the candidate will lie in the middle of a tasteless interior and spoil the carpet with his liquids. From such a distance and with such a number of trunks, the carapace is unlikely to save.Therefore, take a small sip of wine. Refrain from blowing out the entire glass at once. Still, it is quite possible that the twitching, dumb-headed bighead with a plasma pistol is just an element of the entourage. Still, Lemay loves to bring his guests to a nervous tick. Quietly put the glass on the tablecloth. Smile into cold eyes.“Mrs. Lemay,” A.N. began softly, “some
69
Location : New CityLocation: Newlow, level 3bTime : Friday, 20:24Krzysztof Boltzmann hesitated. The candidate noticed that the conversation had touched something unsettling in the fat man. An old humiliation pacified by complacency and a hefty security deposit. But, fortunately, the lover of watchmaking did not possess oratory.— What a stupid question, Sir Ernest...“Krzysztof,” the candidate interrupted softly, his eyes flashing. - Please reply.“Okay, okay…” The pawnshop scratched the back of his head. - After the first, yes, there were several unpleasant incidents. Ordinary punks and "bulls" who somehow learned about the "bead". I then reinforced the rear airlock and began to constantly carry a pistol. But after the second it was all very calm. Even the tax inspector, so that his Cordul devoured, did not visit more often than necessary.- I understood you. Well, Krzysztof. Your debt is closed.- Truth? the pawnbroker inquired incredulously.- Truth. How
